Kingsford plays on in Legion tourney

Blues blow out Ishpeming and Channing

July 26, 2013

MENOMINEE - Kingsford, with Cole Michaud pitching a total of 11 innings and earning two wins Thursday, remained alive in the American Legion U.P. Zone baseball tournament.

The Blues defeated Ishpeming 11-0 before knocking out Channing 13-1.

Against Ishpeming, a six-inning contest, Michaud allowed just four hits while striking out six and walking none. He picked up right where he left off in the second game, surrendering only two hits and whiffing another four with one walk.

"Cole was exactly what we needed today, he was incredible," Blues manager Kevin Murdock said. "He pitched 11 straight innings and allowed 6 hits total. He put us right back into the tournament. I have never rode a pitcher like that before, but he was so efficient, most innings needing just 10-12 pitches, if that. What he did today was unbelievable."

The workload by Michaud saved several arms for today's action. Kingsford, still battling out of the loser's bracket after a loss Wednesday, was playing Menominee at 1 p.m. with the winner of that game slated to either Escanaba or Marquette at 4 p.m.

Both games Thursday were tight until the later innings. Kingsford scored eight runs over its final two at-bats to break open the Ishpeming game, while tagging Channing for 11 runs over the final three innings.

In the win against Ishpeming, CJ Qualley, Cole Tengesdahl and Bryce Kerscher each had two hits. Qualley and Tengesdahl hit doubles. Michaud and Brien Johnson also doubled in the contest, while Austin Murdock hit a single.

Against Channing, Qualley produced four hits, and Wes Paupore had three with a double. Tengesdahl doubled and singled, and Murdock hit two singles. Kerscher and Johnson added singles, while Conor Berndt poked a double.

"We hit the ball much better today," Murdock said. "I really like the way we hit the ball. If we keep that up with our pitching we will do just fine."